Old Yeller was based in Salt Lick, Texas in the late 1860s. Salt Lick, Texas is about six hundred miles south of Abilene, Kansas and in this area regionalism is a very important movement at the time. This book is told through the eyes of a fourteen year old boy named Travis Coates who is the son of Jim and Katie Coates. Travis is a courageous and mature young farmer who is willing to do anything to protect his land once his dad left him to watch over it. Travis’ mother, Katie Coates or ‘Mama’ is usually left home with her two children, Travis and Arliss, when her husband Jim goes out on cattle runs. Jim Coates otherwise known as ‘Papa’ is the father of Travis and Arliss and the husband of Katie Coates, who goes off on a cattle run at the beginning of the novel and doesn’t come up much until he comes back in the end. …show more content…
Jims’ youngest son is Arliss or ‘Little Arliss’ is a 5 year old troublemaker, who enjoys running around playing with little critters and doing anything he can to annoy or irritate one's around him. This novel reminds me of maturing and growing up because of all the responsibilities that are given to people so young or even just children. Travis along has to take on many responsibilities once his dad, Jim or ‘Papa’, leaves on a cattle run. He is left to take care of a farm, his mother, and his little brother just at fourteen years old. Arliss always pushes his limits with his older brother, Travis, but his mother doesn’t seem to do much about it. When Travis is working or needs something does he tends to get bossy and orders Arliss not to be rambunctious or out of line but his mother always seems to nag and scold him for it, letting Arliss get away with his